Entrees

Chihuahua-Style Charro Beans

Posted on by Pati Jinich
Chihuahua-Style Charro Beans
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4.75 from 4 votes

Chihuahua-Style Charro Beans

Chihuahua-Style Charro Beans recipe from Pati’s Mexican Table Season 13, Episode 6 “Paquimé & Pecans”
Cook Time1 hour 30 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: beans, jalapeno, pork
Servings: 6 servings
Author: Pati Jinich

Ingredients

  • 1 pound dried pinto beans or 3 15oz. cans pinto beans
  • 3½ quarts (14 cups) water if using dried beans
  • 1 white onion half left whole (if using dried beans), half finely chopped
  • 2 teaspoons kosher or coarse sea salt
  • ½ pound (about 5 to 6 slices) thick-cut, wood-smoked bacon chopped
  • ½ pound Mexican chorizo casings removed and chopped
  • ¼ pound turkey hot dogs halved and sliced
  • ¼ pound thick-sliced deli ham diced
  • 4 to 6 whole pickled jalapeños
  • ½ cup brine from pickled jalapeños
  • 2 ounces chicharrones or pork rinds broken into bite-sized pieces
  • Warm corn or flour tortillas

Instructions

  • Rinse the dried beans and put them in a large pot, cover with the water, and add the white onion half. Bring to a rolling boil, reduce the heat to medium, and partially cover with a lid so steam can escape. Simmer until the beans are completely tender, 1 hour to 1 hour and 15 minutes, depending on the size and age of the beans. Stir in the salt and fish out the onion and discard. If using canned beans, skip this step.
  • In a large casserole or pot, set over medium-high heat, cook the bacon and chorizo for 4-5 minutes, until they start releasing their fat and have begun to brown. Add the hot dogs and ham, stir, and continue cooking for another 3-4 minutes; they should be coated in the fat and gain some color. Incorporate the chopped onion, stir, and cook until softened, for about 3-4 minutes.
  • Incorporate all of the beans with their broth (if using canned, add water or broth as needed to make the dish soupy). Bring to a simmer, add the jalapeños and their brine, and continue cooking for 3-4 minutes more. Lastly, add the broken chicharrón pieces, stir and serve with warm corn or flour tortillas.

Notes

Frijoles Charros estilo Chihuahua

Colorado Chile Short Rib Volcanes

Posted on by Pati Jinich
Colorado Chile Short Rib Volcanes
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5 from 3 votes

Colorado Chile Short Rib Volcanes

Colorado Chile Short Rib Volcanes recipe from Pati’s Mexican Table Season 13, Episode 5 “Cowboy Life”
Cook Time10 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: cheese, chile colorado, corn tortillas, ribs
Servings: 8 to 10 volcanes
Author: Pati Jinich

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Preheat your grill or set your grill pan over medium heat.
  • Brush the corn tortillas with water and sprinkle with salt to taste on both sides. Place on the grill and toast for a couple minutes on one side. Remove and top the toasted side with 3-4 tablespoons grated cheese, then place back on the grill cheese side up. Toast until the cheese melts and the tortillas become crusty and browned.
  • Transfer to a platter, top with a generous amount of diced short ribs, and let your guests top with guacamole to their liking.

Notes

Volcanes de Costillas en Chile Colorado

Colorado Chile Short Ribs

Posted on by Pati Jinich
Colorado Chile Short Ribs
Print Recipe
4.75 from 4 votes

Colorado Chile Short Ribs

Colorado Chile Short Ribs recipe from Pati’s Mexican Table Season 13, Episode 5 “Cowboy Life”
Cook Time20 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: beef, chile colorado, ribs
Servings: 4 to 6 servings
Author: Pati Jinich

Ingredients

  • 3 pounds beef short ribs cut flanken-style ½ to ⅔ inch thick, rinsed and patted dry
  • 10 to 12 (about 2 ounces) dried Colorado, Guajillo, New Mexico, or California chiles stemmed and seeded
  • 6 garlic cloves peeled
  • 1 tablespoon dried oregano or 3 tablespoons fresh
  • 1 teaspoon kosher or coarse sea salt or to taste

Instructions

  • Rinse the short ribs under a thin stream of cold water. Pat dry and place in a container.
  • To make the marinade, heat a comal, griddle, or cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Toast the chiles for a few minutes, flipping, until they darken slightly and smell fragrant. Transfer to a medium saucepan, cover with water, and add the garlic cloves. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat and simmer for about 10 minutes, until the chiles have rehydrated.
  • Using a slotted spoon, transfer the chiles and garlic to a blender, along with ½ cup of their cooking liquid. Add the oregano and salt and puree until smooth. Once the marinade has cooled to room temperature, pour it over the meat, making sure it is entirely covered. Cover with a lid or plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or up to 48 hours. When you’re ready to grill, remove the meat from the refrigerator.
  • Preheat your grill or a grill pan over medium-high heat. If cooking on the grill, using tongs, rub a quarter of a white onion over the grill to clean and season it. Dab a bit of vegetable oil on the onion and rub the grill again with it.
  • Place the ribs, in batches if necessary, on the grill or grill pan and cook (covered if on a grill), for 3-4 minutes, until the bottom has seared, deep grill marks have developed, and the meat juices start to bubble. Flip and grill the other side for 2-4 minutes for medium. Transfer to a plate or platter. Cover and keep warm if you have more meat to grill.
  • Remove the bones and cut the meat into ½-inch dice. Serve with warm corn tortillas to tuck in to tacos, or use as the topping for Colorado Chile Short Rib Volcanes.

Notes

Costillitas con Chile Colorado

Chile Verde Stacked Enchiladas with Eggs

Posted on by Pati Jinich
Chile Verde Stacked Enchiladas with Egg
Print Recipe
4.50 from 4 votes

Chile Verde Stacked Enchiladas with Eggs

Chile Verde Stacked Enchiladas with Eggs recipe from Pati’s Mexican Table Season 13, Episode 4 “Revolutionary Bites”
Cook Time20 minutes
Course: Breakfast, Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: cheese, chile verde, enchiladas
Servings: 4 servings
Author: Pati Jinich

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil plus more for frying tortillas
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • 3/4 of a white onion halved and slivered (about 2 cups), plus more chopped for assembling the enchiladas
  • 2 garlic cloves thinly sliced
  • 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
  • 2 pounds fresh green chiles such as chilaca, California, Anaheim, New Mexico, or poblano roasted, sweated, peeled, seeded, and cut into 2-x-½-inch strips
  • 1 teaspoon kosher or coarse sea salt
  • 1½ teaspoons dried marjoram or 3 tablespoons fresh
  • 2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
  • 12 corn tortillas
  • 8 Eggland’s Best eggs
  • 6 ounces (1½ cups) shredded Mennonite, Chihuahua, or Monterey Jack cheese
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives for garnish

Instructions

  • Heat the oil and butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the slivered onion and cook, stirring occasionally, for 3-4 minutes until softened. Add the garlic, cook for another couple minutes, until the onion is completely wilted and the garlic has changed color. Stir in the flour, mix, and cook for another minute, until it smells a bit toasty. Add the chile strips, salt and marjoram, and cook for 3-4 minutes until moist but not wet. Stir in the broth, bring to a simmer and cook 5-6 minutes more. Remove from heat.
  • Transfer the chile mixture to a blender and puree until completely smooth. Return the chile verde sauce to the same saucepan and keep warm over low heat.
  • Heat ¼-inch oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once hot, quick fry the tortillas, one at a time, 20-30 seconds per side, until lightly browned. The oil should be bubbling around the tortillas. Place on a paper towel covered plate to drain. Alternatively, you can heat the tortillas on a preheated comal or skillet set over medium heat.
  • Separately, cook two sunny side up eggs per person to desired doneness.
  • One by one, dip a tortilla in the chile verde sauce and place on a plate. Top with 2 tablespoons cheese and 1 tablespoon onion. Follow with the next tortilla and repeat a couple more times to make a stack with layers of cheese and onion in between. Top with more sauce, two eggs, and garnish with cheese, onions and chives.

Notes

Enchiladas Montadas de Chile Verde con Huevos

Chihuahua-Style Barbacoa

Posted on by Pati Jinich
Chihuahua Style Barbacoa
Print Recipe
5 from 4 votes

Chihuahua-Style Barbacoa

Chihuahua-Style Barbacoa recipe from Pati’s Mexican Table Season 13, Episode 3 “Symphony of Flavors”
Cook Time2 hours 30 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: beef, Potato
Servings: 6 servings
Author: Pati Jinich

Ingredients

  • 3 pounds sirloin cap (see note) fat cap trimmed to ¼-inch thick, cut into 2-inch chunks
  • 2 pounds beef short ribs with bone
  • 1 plum tomato fresh or canned whole, quartered
  • 1/2 white onion peeled and quartered
  • 3 garlic cloves peeled
  • 1 to 2 jalapeño chiles with seeds, stemmed and halved lengthwise
  • 3 bay leaves
  • 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
  • 1 tablespoon kosher or coarse sea salt or to taste
  • 1 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
  • 3½ cups water
  • 1 large Yukon Gold potato quartered

For serving:

Instructions

  • Put the sirloin chunks, short ribs, tomato, onion, garlic, jalapeños, bay leaves, rosemary, salt and pepper in a large Dutch oven or deep lidded pot. Pour in the 3½ cups water and bring to a boil over high heat. Cover, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer for 1 hour.
  • Stir and add the quartered potato. Cover and continue cooking for another hour and 15 minutes to an hour and a half, until the meat falls apart when pulled with a fork. Remove from the heat.
  • When you’re ready to eat, remove the potato pieces and enjoy as a cook’s treat or share with your guests. Remove and discard the bay leaves and rosemary. The tomato, onion, garlic, and jalapeño will have cooked down and melted into the cooking juices. Transfer the meat with a slotted spoon to a small bowl or a baking sheet and with two dinner forks or your hands, finely shred it; discard the bones. Return the meat to the pot and serve hot with the salsas, chopped cilantro and white onion, avocado slices, and tortillas or bread in tacos or tortas.

Note:

  • Tri-tip steak is similar to sirloin cap and works too. It comes with a hard, thick layer of fat on top; some is needed for flavor, but you’ll want to trim most of it off.

Notes

Barbacoa Chihuahuense

Roasted Charred Chicken

Posted on by Pati Jinich
Roasted Charred Chicken
Print Recipe
4.34 from 6 votes

Roasted Charred Chicken

Roasted Charred Chicken from Pati's Mexican Table Season 11, Episode 9 "A Day with Hugo"
Cook Time45 minutes
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: chicken, oregano
Servings: 4 servings
Author: Pati Jinich

Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons fresh squeezed lime juice
  • 10 garlic cloves
  • 1 serrano or jalapeño chile stemmed, cut into pieces (seeding optional)
  • 2 teaspoons dried piquín chiles
  • 1 tablespoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
  • 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
  • 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 ½ teaspoons kosher or coarse sea salt or to taste
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • 1 4-5 pound whole chicken patted dry
  • 1 celery stick coarsely chopped
  • 1/4 white onion coarsely chopped
  • 1 cup parsley leaves and upper part of stems coarsely chopped
  • Serve with Super Greens Salad with Oregano Vinaigrette or at least the Oregano Vinaigrette for dipping or drizzling over the chicken

Instructions

  • In the jar of a blender, add the lime juice, garlic, serrano chile, piquín chiles, oregano, cumin, Dijon, Worcestershire, soy sauce, salt, pepper, and oil. Puree until completely smooth.
  • Gently, use your fingers to separate the chicken skin from the flesh wherever possible, so you can add the marinade. Completely cover the chicken with the wet rub/marinade, inside the chicken cavity and under and over the skin. Stuff the cavity with the chopped celery, onion, and parsley. You can roast immediately or place in a container, cover, and refrigerate for up to 48 hours.
  • When ready to cook, preheat the oven to 450℉ with the rack in the lower position. Remove the chicken from the refrigerator and place on a rack in a roasting pan. Crisscross the legs and tie with twine, and tuck the wings behind the back.
  • Roast for 45 to 55 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165℉, and when pierced with a knife, the juices run completely clear, if any. Remove from the oven, cover with foil and let sit for at least 10 minutes before carving.
  • Carve the chicken and serve with the Super Greens Salad and a generous amount of the Oregano Vinaigrette drizzled on top.

Notes

Pollo Rostizado Norteño

Sweet Potato and Meat Salpicón

Posted on by Pati Jinich
Sweet Potato and Meat Salpicón
Print Recipe
3.75 from 4 votes

Sweet Potato and Meat Salpicón

Sweet Potato and Meat Salpicón recipe from Pati’s Mexican Table Season 12, Episode 10 “A Mayan League of their Own”
Cook Time1 hour 30 minutes
Course: Main Dish, Salad
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: beef, salad, sweet potato
Servings: 4 to 6 servings
Author: Pati Jinich

Ingredients

For the meat:

  • 2 pounds flank steak cut into 1 1/2” to 2” chunks
  • 1 white onion peeled
  • 3 garlic cloves peeled
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 2 teaspoons kosher or coarse sea salt

For the vinaigrette:

  • 1 cup bitter orange juice or 1/3 cup each orange, lemon and lime juice
  • 3 tablespoons white distilled vinegar
  • 1/4 cup  extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon kosher or coarse sea salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
  • 1 red onion slivered

For the salad:

  • 1 1/2 cups fresh or thawed from frozen peas
  • 2 pounds sweet potatoes cut into 1/2” dice or bite sized pieces
  • 2 cups radishes cut into sticks
  • 1/2 cup coarsely chopped cilantro leaves and upper part of the stems plus more for garnish

To serve:

  • Warm corn tortillas or corn tostadas
  • Ripe avocado slices optional, for topping tostadas or tucking into tacos

Instructions

To cook the meat:

  • Combine the flank steak, onion, garlic, and bay leaves in a large soup pot or casserole and cover generously with water. Bring to a boil, remove any foam that may have risen to the surface, and add the salt. Stir, lower the heat to medium low, cover, and cook for 1 1/2 hours, or until the meat is so tender it comes apart easily when poked with a fork.
  • With a slotted spoon, transfer the meat to a bowl. Strain the broth and reserve for another use. When the meat is cool enough to handle, shred it and set aside.

To make the vinaigrette:

  • In a medium bowl, mix the bitter orange juice or its substitute, vinegar, olive oil, salt and pepper, and whisk until emulsified. Incorporate the red onion and let sit for at least 15 minutes, for the onion to macerate a bit.

To assemble the salad:

  • Bring salted water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Cook the peas for one minute, remove with a slotted spoon, and set aside in a bowl. Cook the sweet potatoes for 4 to 5 minutes, until cooked and soft but not falling apart. Remove with a slotted spoon and transfer to a bowl to cool slightly.
  • Mix the vinaigrette with the meat and toss until it is all covered. Incorporate the radishes, the cilantro, and the peas, and toss. Lastly add the sweet potato cubes. Gently mix well. You can garnish with a bit more cilantro.
  • Eat along with warm corn tortillas or tostadas and avocado slices.

Notes

Salpicón de Carne con Camote

Fiesta Turkey with Chorizo and Cashew Stuffing

Posted on by Pati Jinich
Fiesta Turkey with Chorizo and Cashew Stuffing
Print Recipe
4.60 from 5 votes

Fiesta Turkey with Chorizo and Cashew Stuffing

If you need a stunner for Thanksgiving dinner, here’s your recipe, which is modeled on the traditions of coastal Veracruz. It results in a moist, juicy bird, with an irresistible adobo marinade and a to-die-for stuffing.
Cook Time5 hours
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: adobo, stuffing, turkey
Servings: 10 servings
Author: Pati Jinich

Ingredients

For the adobo marinade and turkey:

  • 4 dried guajillo chiles stemmed and seeded
  • 4 dried ancho chiles stemmed and seeded
  • 8 garlic cloves peeled
  • 4 cups chopped peeled and cored fresh pineapple
  • 1 cup coarsely chopped white onion
  • 1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar or grated piloncillo
  • 1/4 cup white vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground canela or cinnamon
  • 1 tablespoon kosher salt or more to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 2 cups freshly squeezed orange juice from 5 to 6 medium oranges
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1 14- to 16-pound turkey rinsed and patted dry, giblets removed, neck reserved

For the stuffing:

  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 8 cups diced brioche or challah 1/2-inch dice
  • 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt plus more for the croutons
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper plus more for the croutons
  • 1/4 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 pound Mexican chorizo casings removed and chopped
  • 2 cups finely chopped white onions
  • 1 cup finely chopped celery
  • 3 garlic cloves finely chopped
  • 1 pound ripe tomatoes finely chopped, or 1 (15-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
  • 1/2 teaspoon anise seeds
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried marjoram
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground canela or cinnamon
  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • 1 cup pitted prunes finely chopped
  • 1 cup cashews finely chopped

For roasting the turkey and the gravy:

  • 1 pound ripe tomatoes chopped, or 1 (15-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
  • 4 celery stalks chopped
  • 3 medium carrots peeled and chopped
  • 2 medium white onions chopped
  • 2 cups chicken broth

Instructions

To marinate the turkey:

  • One to two days ahead, combine the ancho and guajillo chiles and garlic cloves in a medium saucepan, cover with water, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer for about 10 minutes, until the chiles and garlic are softened. Drain and transfer the chiles and garlic to a blender.
  • Add the pineapple, onion, brown sugar, vinegar, oregano, canela or cinnamon, salt, and pepper to the blender and puree until smooth.
  • Heat the oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the chile puree and orange juice, stir, bring to a simmer, and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 15 minutes, or until the mixture has thickened and darkened in color and the flavors have intensified. Add the chicken broth, stir, and set aside to cool to room temperature.
  • Slide the turkey and the neck into a large brining bag or plastic bag (you can use a kitchen garbage bag) and place in a large bowl, with the turkey breast side down. Open up the bag and pour in the marinade. Reach in and massage the marinade into and over the turkey, working it into the cavity and all the crevasses. Seal the bag (leave it in the bowl). Place the bowl in the refrigerator and marinate for at least 12 hours and up to 48 hours (the longer the better), turning the turkey in the bag a couple of times to redistribute marinade.

To make the stuffing:

  • Preheat the oven to 375℉, with a rack in the middle. Brush a large baking sheet with 2 tablespoons of the olive oil. Put the bread in a large bowl, sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste, drizzle the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil over the bread, and toss well with your hands.
  • Spread the bread evenly on the baking sheet and bake for 5 to 6 minutes. Remove the baking sheet from the oven, turn the pieces of bread over, and return to the oven for another 5 to 6 minutes, or until golden. Return the croutons to the bowl and set aside. Move the oven rack to the lowest position and increase the heat to 400℉.
  • Heat 2 tablespoons of the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chorizo and cook, breaking it apart with a couple of wooden spoons or spatulas, until it has browned, 7 to 8 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the chorizo to the bowl with the croutons, leaving as much of the fat as you can in the skillet.
  • Add another 2 tablespoons vegetable oil to the skillet. Add the onions and celery and cook for about 5 minutes, until softened and just beginning to brown. Clear a space in the center of the skillet, add the garlic, and cook until fragrant, less than a minute, then mix with the onion and celery. Add the tomatoes and cook until they begin to soften, about 2 minutes. Stir in the anise seeds, thyme, marjoram, oregano, cinnamon, 3⁄4 teaspoon salt, and 1⁄2 teaspoon pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, for a minute or two.
  • Stir in the chicken broth and prunes and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes to heat through. Scrape the mixture into the bowl with the croutons, add the cashews, and stir until well combined. Let cool before stuffing the turkey.

To stuff and roast the turkey:

  • Spread the tomatoes, celery, carrots, onions, and turkey neck in a large roasting pan and pour in the chicken broth. Remove the turkey from the bag. Stuff it with as much stuffing as will fit. Scrape any remaining stuffing into a bowl and set aside. Close the cavity by crossing the legs and tying them with butcher’s twine. Set a roasting rack over the vegetables and place the turkey breast side up on the rack. Tuck the wing tips under the turkey. Pour all the marinade remaining in the bag over the turkey.
  • Transfer the turkey to the oven and roast for 30 minutes.
  • Reduce the heat to 350℉, cover the turkey loosely with foil, and roast for about 3 1⁄2 to 4 hours longer, basting halfway through, until the temperature in the thickest part of a thigh reaches 165℉. Remove the turkey from the oven and move the oven rack to the middle. Transfer the turkey, on the roasting rack, to a baking sheet, cover loosely with foil, and let rest while you prepare the remaining stuffing and the gravy.
  • Strain the liquid in the roasting pan through a sieve set over a bowl, pressing on the solids with the back of a wooden spoon to get as much flavor as possible. Measure out 1 cup and pour that over the stuffing you set aside in the bowl. Mix well and spoon the stuffing into an oiled or buttered baking dish. Place in the oven and bake until it’s heated through and the top is lightly browned, 20 to 25 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, pour the remaining strained cooking liquid into a saucepan, bring to a simmer over medium heat, and simmer, stirring occasionally, until it has reduced by half, 15 to 20 minutes.
  • Carve the turkey and serve with the stuffing (from inside the turkey and the baking dish). Serve the adobo sauce on the side.

Notes

Pavo de Fiesta con Chorizo y Nuez de la India

Baked Fish with Pepita Habanero Pesto

Posted on by Pati Jinich
Baked Fish with Pepita Habanero Pesto
Print Recipe
4.20 from 5 votes

Baked Fish with Pepita Habanero Pesto

Baked Fish with Pepita Habanero Pesto recipe from Pati’s Mexican Table Season 12, Episode 9 “Pink”
Cook Time10 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: fish, habanero, pumpkin seeds
Servings: 4 servings
Author: Pati Jinich

Ingredients

  • Unsalted butter to grease the baking dish
  • 1 1/2 pounds mild flaky fresh fish filets like grouper, flounder, or tilapia
  • Juice of 1 lime
  • Kosher or coarse sea salt to taste
  • Coarsely ground black pepper
  • 1 cup Pepita Habanero Pesto
  • Pine nuts, cilantro, or basil for garnish, optional

Instructions

  • Set the rack in the middle of the oven and preheat to 400°F.
  • Butter a baking dish big enough to hold the fish in a single layer. Place the fish filets in the baking dish. Squeeze the lime juice over the fish and sprinkle with just a bit of salt and pepper.
  • When ready to bake, cover each fish filet with 3 to 4 tablespoons of the pesto. Bake the fish for 10 to 15 minutes depending on the thickness of the fish, until it’s cooked and flakes easily with a fork. Serve immediately, garnished with pine nuts, cilantro, or basil, if desired.

Notes

Pescado al Horno con Pesto de Pepita y Habanero

Pepita, Egg and Chaya Tamales

Posted on by Pati Jinich
Pepita, Egg and Chaya Tamales
Print Recipe
4.75 from 4 votes

Pepita, Egg and Chaya Tamales

Pepita, Egg and Chaya Tamales recipe from Pati’s Mexican Table Season 12, Episode 10 “A Mayan League of their Own”
Cook Time1 hour
Course: Antojos, Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: Eggs, pumpkin seeds, Tamales
Servings: 14 to 16 tamales
Author: Pati Jinich

Ingredients

For the masa:

  • 1 pound chaya leaves can sub Swiss chard or spinach
  • 3 1/4 cups (about 1 pound) masa harina
  • 2 3/4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
  • 1 cup lard or vegetable shortening
  • 2 1/2 teaspoons kosher or coarse sea salt or to taste, divided
  • 3 stems fresh epazote about 15 leaves, or sub cilantro, coarsely chopped

For the tamales:

  • 1/2 cup hulled raw pumpkin seeds lightly toasted
  • banana leaves cut into 12” long pieces, rinsed, plus more for steaming tamales
  • 4 large eggs hardboiled, cooled, peeled, and cut lengthwise into 6 pieces
  • 1 cup Roasted Tomato and Habanero Salsa for filling, plus more for garnish

Instructions

To make the masa:

  • Bring salted water to a boil in a large pot over high heat. Once boiling, add the chaya leaves and let them cook for 2 minutes. Drain completely. Let them sit as you make the masa. Press with your hands to remove excess liquid as much as you can. Coarsely chop.
  • In a large bowl, combine the masa harina with the broth, using your hands to knead the dough until thoroughly mixed and very smooth, not “grainy.” Add the lard or vegetable shortening, and work it in, kneading, for a few minutes. Add 2 teaspoons of the salt, the chopped chaya and epazote, and mix until fully incorporated.

To assemble the tamales:

  • In a small saute pan or comal, set over medium-low heat, toast the pumpkin seeds for 3 to 4 minutes, until they are lightly toasted. Don’t let them brown or burn. Remove from the heat. Once they cool down, either finely chop or coarsely grind them in a spice mill or food processor along with the remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt. Scrape onto a bowl.
  • To prepare the banana leaves, turn a burner on to medium-low heat. Slowly pass each banana-leaf piece over the flame on both sides, until they change color and become fragrant, and set aside (so they will be resilient, malleable, and will not break).
  • One by one, set each leaf piece on your counter with the shiny, outer side down. Spoon about 1/3 cup of masa onto the center and spread to form a rectangle of about 5”x 3.” With the spoon, or your finger, make a shallow channel down the middle, creating a stripe in the masa. Add a couple teaspoons ground pepita, a couple pieces of hard boiled egg, and top with a tablespoon of salsa. Gently close each tamal by folding the longer sides first and then the short sides as if making a flat and tight package, but being careful not to press on the tamal too much.
  • Prepare your tamalera or steamer by adding just enough water to touch the bottom of the steaming basket. Line the steaming basket with a few banana-leaf pieces to gently cover the base. One by one, add the tamales, stacking them as evenly as you can, staggered in the same position as when you made them: laying them flat. Once you are done, cover with a few more pieces of banana leaves. Set the steamer uncovered over high heat, once there is a bit of steam coming out and the water starts boiling a few minutes later, cover, reduce heat to medium, and cook for an hour.
  • The leaves will have changed to a much darker color and will have completely wilted to wrap themselves as a second skin over the tamales, and the tamales should feel firm. Turn off the heat. Let the tamales sit for at least 15 minutes before serving so they will settle. Serve the tamales with the roasted tomato and habanero salsa.

Notes

Tamales Dzotobichay 

Black Bean Tamales with Pibil Pork

Posted on by Pati Jinich
Black Bean Tamales with Pibil Pork
Print Recipe
4.41 from 5 votes

Black Bean Tamales with Pibil Pork

Black Bean Tamales with Pibil Pork recipe from Pati’s Mexican Table Season 12, Episode 7 “Recados”
Cook Time1 hour 25 minutes
Course: Antojos, Main Course, Snack
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: beans, pork, tamal, Tamales
Servings: 14 to 16 tamales
Author: Pati Jinich

Ingredients

For the pibil pork filling:

  • 3 cups chicken broth
  • 3 tablespoons achiote paste broken into small pieces
  • 2 tablespoons white distilled vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1 pound pork loin or tenderloin cut into 1 1/2 to 2” chunks
  • 1 teaspoon kosher or coarse sea salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
  • 1/2 cup chopped white onion
  • 1 habanero stemmed, finely chopped
  • 1/2 pound ripe Roma tomatoes diced or crushed

For the masa:

  • 3 1/4 cups masa harina about 1 pound
  • 2 3/4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
  • 1 cup lard or vegetable shortening
  • 2 teaspoons kosher or coarse sea salt or to taste
  • 1 1/2 cups cooked black beans
  • 1/4 cup chopped cilantro or epazote leaves

To assemble the tamales and serve:

Instructions

To make the filling:

  • In the jar of a blender, add the chicken broth, achiote paste, vinegar, oregano, cumin and allspice, and puree until completely smooth. Set aside.
  • Heat the oil in a large deep skillet or casserole over medium-high heat. Once it shimmers, add the pork pieces and season with the salt and pepper. Cook for 5 to 6 minutes, flipping as it browns on all sides and starts letting out its juice. Add the onion, stir, and cook for a minute. Add the habanero and tomato and cook for another 4 to 5 minutes, until vegetables soften.
  • Pour in the achiote mixture and stir. Once it comes to a boil, reduce heat to medium-low, place the lid on, and cook for 30 minutes, until the liquid has thickened considerably and darkened. Remove the lid, stir, place the lid ajar, and continue cooking for another 10 to 15 minutes. The mix should still be wet but the sauce should have thickened and darkened a lot more. Remove from the heat. Shred the meat into the sauce with a couple forks. Let it cool down.

To make the masa:

  • In a large bowl, combine the masa harina with the chicken broth. Using your hands, knead the dough until thoroughly mixed and very smooth, not “grainy.” Add the lard or vegetable shortening, and work it in, kneading, for a few minutes. Add the salt, black beans and cilantro, and mix until fully incorporated.

To assemble the tamales:

  • To prepare the banana leaves, turn a burner on to medium-low heat. Slowly pass each banana-leaf piece over the flame on both sides, until they change color and become fragrant and set aside (so they will be resilient, malleable and not break).
  • One by one, set each leaf piece on your counter with the shiny, outer side down. Spoon about 1/3 cup of masa onto the center and spread it to form a rectangle of about 5”x 3.” With the spoon, or your finger, make a shallow channel down the middle, creating a stripe in the masa. Add a couple tablespoons of pibil pork. Gently close each tamal by folding the longer sides first and then the shorter sides, as if making a flat and tight package, but being careful not to press on the tamal too much.
  • Prepare your tamalera or steamer by adding just enough water to touch the bottom of the steaming basket. Line the steaming basket with a few banana-leaf pieces to gently cover the base. One by one, add the tamales, stacking them as evenly as you can, staggered in the same position as when you made them: laying them flat. Once you are done, cover with a few more pieces of banana leaves.
  • Set the steamer uncovered over high heat, once there is a bit of steam coming out and the water starts boiling a few minutes later, cover, reduce heat to medium, and cook for an hour. The leaves will have changed to a much darker color and will have completely wilted to wrap themselves as a second skin over the tamales, and the tamales should feel firm. Turn off the heat. Let the tamales sit for at least 15 minutes before serving so they will settle. Serve the tamales with the Roasted Tomato and Habanero Salsa.

Notes

Vaporcitos de Xpelón con Cochinita Pibil

Chorizo Black Rice

Posted on by Pati Jinich
Chorizo Black Rice
Print Recipe
4.20 from 5 votes

Chorizo Black Rice

Chorizo Black Rice recipe from Pati’s Mexican Table Season 12, Episode 6 “Yucatán Meats”
Cook Time20 minutes
Course: Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: beans, Chorizo, rice
Servings: 6 servings
Author: Pati Jinich

Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1 pound Mexican chorizo or Longaniza-style sausage
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped white onion
  • 1 to 2 fresh xcatic, banana, yellow wax, or güero chiles stemmed, seeded and chopped
  • 2 cups jasmine white rice
  • 2 sprigs fresh epazote or cilantro stems removed, leaves coarsely chopped, plus more for garnish
  • 4 cups cooking broth from Black Beans from the Pot
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher or sea salt or to taste

Instructions

  • Heat the oil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat until hot but not smoking. Add the chorizo, and cook for 5 to 6 minutes, until cooked through, browned, and it has rendered its fat. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside.
  • Add the onion and chile and cook for a few minutes, stirring a couple times, until they soften. Add the cooking broth from the black beans and rice, stir, and add in the epazote or cilantro and salt, and stir again.
  • Bring to a rolling boil, cover the pan, and reduce the heat to the lowest setting. Cook for about 15 minutes, or until most of the liquid has been absorbed but there is still some moisture in the pan. The rice should be cooked and tender; if it is not but all the liquid has been absorbed, add a couple tablespoons of water, cover again, and cook for 2 more minutes. Remove from the heat and let the rice rest, covered, for at least 5 minutes.
  • Fluff the rice with a fork, add the chorizo and mix. Top with more fresh cilantro or epazote and serve.

Notes

Arroz Negro con Chorizo

Habanero Pork Belly Tacos

Posted on by Pati Jinich
Castacan (Habanero Pork Belly Taco)
Print Recipe
3.40 from 5 votes

Habanero Pork Belly Tacos

Habanero Pork Belly Tacos recipe from Pati’s Mexican Table Season 12, Episode 6 “Yucatán Meats”
Cook Time2 hours 45 minutes
Course: Antojos, Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: habanero, pork, tacos
Servings: 4 to 6 servings
Author: Pati Jinich

Ingredients

  • 4 cups water plus 1 cup for roasting
  • 1/2 cup kosher or coarse sea salt
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 habanero
  • 2 pounds pork belly boneless
  • 8 to 12 corn tortillas
  • 2 cups grated melty cheese such as Oaxaca, Monterey Jack, Muenster or Mozzarella
  • Pickled Onion with Fire Roasted Chiles and Garlic optional, to garnish
  • Ripe avocado slices optional, to garnish
  • Salsa of your choice optional, to garnish

Instructions

  • To make the brine, in a small saucepan, combine 4 cups of water with the salt, sugar, oregano, black pepper, allspice, bay leaf, and whole habanero. Set over medium-high heat. Once it comes to a boil, stir and turn off heat. Set aside until cooled.
  • Using a sharp knife, score the top of the pork belly in a diagonal pattern, without cutting into the meat. Place the pork belly in a medium baking dish, pour in the brine along with the habanero, making a slit in the habanero. Cover and refrigerate anywhere from 12 to 48 hours.
  • When ready to cook, preheat the oven to 300°F with the rack in the middle of the oven.
  • Take the pork belly out of the refrigerator, remove it from the brine and place it in a clean or rinsed baking dish. Pour a clean cup of water over it and add the whole habanero from the brine.
  • Cover tightly with aluminum foil and roast for 2 1/2 hours, or until the pork belly is fork tender. Remove the aluminum foil, increase heat to 450°F, and roast for about 15 minutes or until the top has crisped and browned and the inner fat has mostly melted. Remove from the oven. Once cool enough to handle, cut into 1” slices and chop into bite size pieces.
  • Heat a comal, griddle, or skillet over medium heat. One by one heat the tortillas on both sides, add a couple of generous tablespoons of cheese and a couple generous tablespoons of pork belly. Once the cheese is melted, fold and let the tacos crisp on both sides. Serve with pickled onion with fire roasted chiles and garlic, ripe avocado slices, and/or your favorite salsa.

Notes

Tacos de Castacán al Habanero

Tequila and Lime Skirt Steak Tips

Posted on by Pati Jinich
Tequila and Lime Skirt Steak Tips
Print Recipe
4.60 from 5 votes

Tequila and Lime Skirt Steak Tips

Tequila and Lime Skirt Steak Tips recipe from Pati’s Mexican Table Season 12, Episode 2 “Guayabera World”
Cook Time10 minutes
Course: Main Course, Main Dish
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: beef, tacos, tequila
Servings: 4 servings
Author: Pati Jinich

Ingredients

  • 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
  • 1/2 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 2 whole cloves stems removed and peppercorns crushed
  • Pinch ground true cinnamon or canela
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 1 1/4 teaspoon kosher or coarse sea salt or to taste
  • 1 1/2 pounds skirt steak cut into 2 to 3” x ½” strips
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil divided
  • 1 large white onion halved and slivered
  • 3 xcatic, güero, banana, or jalapeño chiles stemmed, seeded and cut lengthwise into thin strips
  • Splash of Gran Centenario® Plata tequila
  • Juice of 1/2 lime
  • Juice of 1/2 lemon
  • Warm corn tortillas to serve, optional
  • Sweet Lime and Chile de Árbol Guacamole or ripe avocado slices, to serve, optional

Instructions

  • In a small bowl, combine allspice, black pepper, oregano, crushed cloves, cinnamon, cumin, coriander and salt. Place sliced meat in a container and rub the seasoning all over. Set aside.
  • Heat a tablespoon of oil in a large skillet or cast iron pan set over medium heat. Once it shimmers, add the onion and chile slices, and cook for 4 to 5 minutes, until softened. Scrape into a bowl and return the skillet to the heat.
  • Raise heat to high, add the remaining tablespoon of oil. Once it shimmers, add the meat and sear, for 2 to 3 minutes until it starts to sweat on the surface, flip and sear for another minute. Pour in a splash of tequila, tilt to the flame, and let it catch fire being careful not to burn your hands. It will ignite for a few seconds until alcohol evaporates.
  • Add the lime and lemon juice, incorporate the cooked onion and jalapeño, and stir for a minute. Remove from the heat and serve. You can tuck into tacos with ripe avocado slices or guacamole.

Notes

Puntas de Filete al Tequila y Limón

Sweet Lime Roasted Chicken with Broccolini

Posted on by Pati Jinich
Sweet Lime Roasted Chicken with Broccolini
Print Recipe
4 from 7 votes

Sweet Lime Roasted Chicken with Broccolini

Sweet Lime Roasted Chicken with Broccolini recipe from Pati’s Mexican Table Season 12, Episode 1 “The Nectar of the Mayan Gods”
Cook Time45 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: chicken, chile de arbol
Servings: 4 servings
Author: Pati Jinich

Ingredients

  • 3 garlic cloves skin on
  • 3 to 4 chiles de árbol
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 1/2 cups sweet lime juice or substitute with half lemon juice and half lime juice
  • 1 tablespoon white distilled vinegar
  • 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons honey
  • 1 tablespoon kosher or coarse sea salt or to taste, plus more to season broccolini
  • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper or to taste, plus more to season broccolini
  • 1 3- to 4- pound whole chicken
  • 1 cup chicken broth or water
  • 1 1/2 pounds broccolini or broccoli cut into stems

Instructions

  • In a preheated comal set over medium heat, toast the garlic cloves, until skin is charred and garlic has softened, about 5 to 6 minutes. Also toast the chiles de árbol, about 20 to 30 seconds per side. And the oregano for a few seconds. Peel the garlic and place in the jar of a blender along with the chile de árbol, oregano, sweet lime juice (or lemon and lime juice), vinegar, oil, honey, salt and black pepper. Puree until smooth. Reserve 2/3 cup of the marinade.
  • Spatchcock the chicken – to do this, remove the chicken backbone with kitchen shears. Flip skin side up and flatten the bird by pressing down on the breast. Before flattening make a small cut into the breast bone plate, so that when you flatten the bird, it cracks evenly down the middle. You will hear a crack as you press.
  • Place the chicken in a roasting pan or on a baking sheet skin side up. Pour the rest of the marinade over the chicken. Marinate anywhere from 30 minutes to 12 hours. If more than 30 minutes, cover and place in the refrigerator, and you can flip a few times as it marinates.
  • When ready to roast, preheat the oven to 425°F.
  • Place the chicken skin side down, add the chicken broth and roast for 25 minutes. Pull the baking sheet out of the oven, flip the chicken and arrange the broccolini around it. Pour the reserved marinade over the chicken and broccolini, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and place back on the oven for 20 minutes. The chicken should have browned on top and be fully cooked (at least 165°F in the thickest part of the thigh) and the broccoli should be roasted and tender.

Notes

Pollo Rostizado con Lima y Brócoli

Potato Hash with Corn, Chorizo and Eggs

Posted on by Pati Jinich
Potato Hash with Corn, Chorizo and Eggs
Print Recipe
4.50 from 6 votes

Potato Hash with Corn, Chorizo and Eggs

Potato Hash with Corn, Chorizo and Eggs from Pati's Mexican Table Season 11, Episode 7 "Cantina Culture"
Cook Time40 minutes
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: American, Mexican
Keyword: Chorizo, Eggs, Potato
Servings: 4 servings
Author: Pati Jinich

Ingredients

  • 1 pound Mexican chorizo or longaniza casings removed, chopped
  • 1 cup corn kernels fresh or thawed from frozen
  • 1 to 2 jalapeños stemmed and sliced
  • 4 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 large white onion halved and slivered
  • ¾ pound Yukon Gold or russet potatoes peeled and grated
  • 1 teaspoon kosher or coarse sea salt or to taste, divided
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 8 eggs

Instructions

  • In a large skillet set over medium-high heat, cook the chorizo for about 3 to 4 minutes, breaking it into smaller pieces with a wooden spoon, until it starts to crisp and brown. Add the corn and jalapeños, stirring to coat in the rendered chorizo fat, and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until the jalapeños soften and corn begins to brown. Scrape the chorizo, corn, and jalapeños into a bowl and set aside.
  • Pour the olive oil into the same skillet and reduce heat to medium. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 15 minutes, until they are completely wilted and their edges have begun to brown. Incorporate the potatoes, add ½ teaspoon salt and pepper and continue to cook, stirring frequently, for another 15 minutes, until the potatoes are completely cooked and mixture has browned a bit more. Incorporate the chorizo, corn and jalapeño mixture.
  • In a medium bowl, beat the eggs with the remaining ½ teaspoon salt. Pour over potato and chorizo mixture and cook, stirring to give it your desired scrambled texture and until it cooks to your liking. I like my eggs soft cooked, not runny, but not dry, which takes about 3 to 4 minutes. Serve while hot.

Notes

Huevos con Hash de Papa, Elote y Chorizo

Pork Stew Stacked in Corn Tortillas

Posted on by Pati Jinich
Pork Stew Stacked in Corn Tortillas
Print Recipe
4.41 from 5 votes

Pork Stew Stacked in Corn Tortillas

Pork Stew Stacked in Corn Tortillas from Pati’s Mexican Table Season 11, Episode 3 “The World Cup of Tacos”
Cook Time1 hour
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: beans, chile, corn tortillas, pork
Servings: 6 servings
Author: Pati Jinich

Ingredients

For the asado de puerco:

  • 3 pounds pork loin fat on, cut into 3/4” cubes
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 2 peeled garlic cloves
  • 10 whole allspice
  • 1 teaspoon kosher or coarse sea salt

For the chile sauce:

  • 4 ancho chiles stemmed and seeded
  • 4 guajillo chiles stemmed and seeded
  • 1 pound ripe Roma tomatoes
  • 2 unpeeled garlic cloves
  • 1 thick slice of a white onion about 2 ounces
  • 1 jalapeño or serrano chile
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon cumin seeds
  • 1 teaspoon kosher or coarse sea salt or to taste
  • Rind of an orange

To make empalmes (corn stacks):

Instructions

To make the asado de puerco:

  • Place the meat in a large, heavy casserole. In a piece of cheesecloth, wrap the bay leaves, 2 peeled garlic cloves, and the whole allspice. Tie with a piece of kitchen twine and place over the pork. Cover the pork with water and add 1 teaspoon salt. Give it a stir. Set over high heat and let it come to a boil. Remove any foam that rises to the surface. Reduce the heat to medium high and continue cooking until water has completely cooked off, about 45 minutes.

To make the chile sauce:

  • Meanwhile, prepare the sauce. On a preheated comal or medium skillet set over medium heat, toast the ancho and guajillo chiles for about a minute per side. Until they toast, change color and begin to fume, but don’t let them burn. Transfer them to a small saucepan and cover them generously with water. Place over medium-high heat and let cook for about 10 minutes, until they plump up and rehydrate. Turn off the heat and set aside.
  • On the same comal, place the tomatoes, 2 unpeeled garlic cloves, onion and jalapeño. Let them cook for about 8 to 10 minutes, and flip every 2 to 3 minutes as they char (alternatively you roast or char them under the broiler or on a grill for a similar amount of time). Once the skin is completely charred, and the tomatoes are very mushy and the onion and jalapeño are very soft, transfer them all to the jar of a blender, making sure to remove the skin of the charred garlic cloves. Add the rehydrated ancho and guajillo chiles along with 1 cup of their simmering liquid, an additional cup of water, the oregano, cumin seeds, and 1 teaspoon salt. Purée until completely smooth.
  • Once the water has completely cooked off from the pork, remove the cheesecloth packet and let the meat cook in its own fat for about 3 to 4 minutes, until it has browned on all sides. You may add a bit of lard or oil if the pork didn’t have much fat to begin with.
  • Reduce the heat to medium low and add the chile sauce. Stir well and incorporate the orange rind. Let it cook for 15 to 20 minutes, until the sauce has thickened and seasoned and the pork is completely tender. The stew should be very saucy.

To make the empalmes:

  • For crunchy empalmes – In a skillet or comal preheated over medium heat, place a couple of corn tortillas and spread a tablespoon of Frijoles con Veneno on each tortilla. Top them generously with asado de puerco and cover with another corn tortilla on top. Let the tortillas gently brown on the bottom for about a minute or two. Gently flip and let them brown on the other side for a minute or two. You have a single-stack empalme. If you want a double-stack empalme, add one tortilla, frijoles, asado, another tortilla, frijoles, asado, and another tortilla on top.
  • For a soft empalme platter – Serve a hot corn tortilla on a plate, spread Frijoles con Veneno onto the tortilla, and add a generous amount of asado de puerco on top. Then add 3 to 4 more warm corn tortillas on top of the asado.

Notes

Asado de Puerco con Empalmes

Honey Glazed Pork Belly, Arrachera and Shrimp Fried Rice

Posted on by Pati Jinich
Honey Glazed Pork Belly, Arrachera and Shrimp Fried Rice
Print Recipe
4.67 from 6 votes

Honey Glazed Pork Belly, Arrachera and Shrimp Fried Rice

Honey Glazed Pork Belly, Arrachera and Shrimp Fried Rice from Pati's Mexican Table Season 11, Episode 8 "Texas BBQ in the Orange Belt"
Cook Time3 hours
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: meat, pork belly, rice, Shrimp
Servings: 6 to 8 servings
Author: Pati Jinich

Ingredients

  • 4 cups water divided
  • 1/3 cup honey for pork belly brine, plus 1 tablespoon for cooking sauce
  • 1/4 cup kosher or coarse sea salt plus more for seasoning
  • 1 pound pork belly
  • 1 pound skirt steak diced into bite-sized pieces
  • Freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 1 pound medium-sized shrimp peeled and patted dry
  • ¼ cup soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons unseasoned rice vinegar
  • 3 tablespoons sauce from chipotles in adobo sauce
  • Zest of an orange
  • ¼ cup fresh squeezed orange juice
  • 3 garlic cloves pressed or minced
  • 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
  • 1 to 2 serrano or jalapeño chiles stemmed, finely chopped (seeds on optional)
  • 1 teaspoon dried piquín chiles chopped or crushed (seeds on optional)
  • 3 eggs lightly beaten
  • 1 cup diced carrots from about 2 medium peeled carrots
  • 2 cups fresh asparagus dry bottoms removed, stalks peeled below the tops, and cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 cup shelled peas
  • 8 scallions root ends removed, thinly sliced, reserve a tablespoon for garnish
  • 4½ cups cooked white rice cooked from 1½ cup uncooked rice

Instructions

  • Mix 3 cups water with the honey and ¼ cup salt in a saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat and stir until the honey dilutes and the salt dissolves, just a minute. Remove from heat and set aside until it cools.
  • Place the pork belly in a container that fits it. Pour cooled honey brine over pork belly, cover, and marinate for 12 to 24 hours in the refrigerator.
  • When ready to cook the pork belly, remove it from the refrigerator. Preheat the oven to 300℉ with the rack in the middle position.
  • Uncover the container that has the pork belly in the brine and pour the remaining cup of water onto the bottom of the dish. Cover tightly with aluminum foil and roast for 2 hours and 30 minutes, or until pork belly is fork tender.
  • Remove the aluminum foil, increase heat to 400℉ and roast for about 20 minutes until the top has crisped and browned and the inner fat has melted considerably. Remove from the oven and let cool.
  • Once cool enough to handle, remove the pork belly from the baking dish and cut into 1-inch pieces. Pour all the pork belly fat from the baking dish into a bowl. Set aside both the pork belly and its fat.
  • Place the diced skirt steak in a bowl and season with salt and pepper to taste. Place cleaned shrimp in another bowl and season with salt and pepper to taste.
  • In a small bowl combine the soy sauce, remaining tablespoon of honey, rice vinegar, sauce from chipotles in adobo, orange zest and juice, garlic, ginger, serrano chile, and dried piquín chile and mix well to combine. Set aside.
  • In a small nonstick skillet set over medium heat, add a tablespoon of the rendered pork belly fat. Once hot, add the beaten eggs and sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste. Cook, moving the edges towards the center as it cooks, to create a flat omelet. Once set and cooked on the bottom, flip so it cooks on the other side. Transfer to a chopping board and cut into bite sized pieces. Set aside.
  • In an extended wok or large saute pan over high heat, heat 2 tablespoons of the rendered pork belly fat (or vegetable oil). Once very hot but not smoking, add the skirt steak and cook for about 2 minutes per side, it should brown all over, but you don’t want to overcook it. Scrape onto a bowl.
  • Add 2 more tablespoons of the rendered pork belly fat (or vegetable oil). Add the shrimp and cook for about 1 minute per side, just like the steak, it should brown a bit all over, but you don’t want to overcook them. Scrape into the same bowl as the steak.
  • Reduce heat to medium high. Add 2 more tablespoons of the rendered pork belly fat (or vegetable oil), add the asparagus and carrots, sprinkle with a bit of salt and pepper, and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, until softened but still with a firm bite. Incorporate the peas and scallions and cook for a couple minutes.
  • Raise heat to high, add the rice and stir. Pour in the soy sauce mixture, add the steak, shrimp, reserved pork belly, and omelet, and toss well to combine. Let it cook for another couple of minutes.
  • Garnish with the reserved scallions and serve. This dish makes amazing leftovers!

Notes

Arroz Frito con Pork Belly con Miel, Arrachera y Camarones

Chicken Livers with Chipotle Caramelized Onions

Posted on by Pati Jinich
Chicken Livers with Chipotle Caramelized Onions
Print Recipe
4.89 from 9 votes

Chicken Livers with Chipotle Caramelized Onions

Chicken Livers with Chipotle Caramelized Onions from Pati’s Mexican Table Season 11, Episode 2 “Sisters, Stew and Sass”
Cook Time45 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: caramelized onions, Chipotle
Servings: 4 servings
Author: Pati Jinich

Ingredients

  • 1 pound chicken livers
  • 1/2 cup whole milk
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter divided
  • 4 tablespoons vegetable oil divided
  • 3 large white onions slivered
  • 1 teaspoon kosher or coarse sea salt divided, or more to taste
  • 3 tablespoons sherry vinegar
  • ¼ cup chicken broth
  • 2 to 3 tablespoons sauce from chipotles in adobo sauce
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper or to taste
  • Chopped fresh chives for garnish, optional
  • Fresh oregano leaves for garnish, optional

Instructions

  • Place the chicken livers in a bowl and gently cover with cold water. One by one, using a chopping board and a sharp knife, remove any connective tissue and cut them into lobes. Place them into a different bowl and cover with cold milk. Let them sit anywhere from 1/2 hour to overnight, if more than an hour, cover and place in the refrigerator.
  • When ready to cook the livers, gently drain and place on a chopping board or sheet pan covered with paper towels and pat dry.
  • In a large non-stick skillet set over medium heat, add 2 tablespoons of butter and 2 tablespoons of oil. Once the butter has melted, add the onions and ½ teaspoon salt. Cook stirring regularly for about 35 to 40 minutes, until completely softened, caramelized, and their color has turned to light brown and they are slightly browning more along the edges. Scrape into a bowl and reserve.
  • Season the livers with the remaining ½ teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon black pepper. In the same skillet, add 1 tablespoon of butter and 1 tablespoon of oil and raise heat to medium high. Cook the livers for about 2 to 3 minutes per side, until just cooked through but browned outside. Scrape into a bowl and set aside.
  • In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium, add the remaining tablespoon of oil and butter. Once melted, add the vinegar and cook, scraping the pan for about 10 to 15 seconds. Add chicken broth, chipotle sauce, tomato paste, and Dijon and stir until well mixed, continuing to scrape the bottom of the pan. Cook for a minute, until it strongly bubbles. Add the cooked onions, stir well to thoroughly combine with the sauce. Incorporate the chicken livers and any of their juices, toss to combine, and let it all cook for a minute. Turn off the heat, garnish with fresh chives and oregano. Serve with rice.

Note:

  • I like to chop any leftover chicken livers into chopped liver. I also like to have some extra roasted cherry tomatoes to reserve. Then I’ll spread the chopped liver on some toasted slices of bread and top with roasted cherry tomatoes.

Notes

Higaditos Encebollados y Enchipotlados

Spicy Honey, Garlic and Orange Roasted Duck

Posted on by Pati Jinich
Spicy Honey, Garlic and Orange Roasted Duck
Print Recipe
3.86 from 7 votes

Spicy Honey, Garlic and Orange Roasted Duck

Spicy Honey, Garlic and Orange Roasted Duck from Pati’s Mexican Table Season 11, Episode 6 “Pioneering from Farm to Table”
Cook Time2 hours 15 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: duck, garlic, honey
Servings: 2 servings
Author: Pati Jinich

Ingredients

  • 1 5-6 pound whole duck thawed
  • 1 tablespoon kosher or coarse sea salt plus more to salt the water
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 teaspoons finely chopped dried piquín chiles or chiltepin or chile de árbol, plus 1 more teaspoon whole dried piquín chiles
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary leaves or 2 teaspoons dried and crushed, plus 3 to 4 whole rosemary sprigs
  • Zest of an orange plus its juice
  • Zest of a lime plus its juice
  • 1 whole orange halved and each half cut into quarters
  • 1 whole head of garlic
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 tablespoons honey

Instructions

To prepare the duck for roasting:

  • Make sure the duck is completely thawed (defrost in the refrigerator for a couple days). Remove giblets and neck from cavity. Rinse in cold water. Pat dry.
  • Bring salted water to a boil in a large soup pot or casserole that fits the duck. Once it comes to a boil, insert the duck and let it sit there for 3 minutes without turning the heat off. This will help tighten the skin. Remove from the water. Drain and pat dry.
  • With a sharp paring or small knife and taking a diagonal or side angle, prick the skin all over front and back without cutting into the meat. This will help release the fat as the duck cooks. Then, score the skin in a diamond shape with lines about every inch making sure you are cutting the skin and the fat, but not the meat, all over front and back.
  • Preheat the oven to 425℉ with the rack in the lowest position.

To prepare the spice mixture:

  • In a small bowl, combine the salt, black pepper, crushed dried Piquín chiles, chopped rosemary, and orange and lime zest. Mix well.
  • Rub the spice mixture all over the duck, making sure to go into the diamond pattern through the skin and fat as well as inside of the cavity. Stuff the cavity with the cut oranges, rosemary sprigs (reserving one sprig for the glaze), and lastly, the head of garlic.
  • Place the duck on a rack in a roasting pan, breast side up. Fold neck skin under the body. Crisscross the legs and secure with kitchen twine. Tuck the wings under their sides. Roast the duck for 30 minutes. Then remove the roasting pan from the oven, flip the duck back side up, reduce the heat to 350℉, and continue roasting for an additional hour and a half.

Meanwhile, make the glaze:

  • In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Once it bubbles, add a teaspoon dried Piquín chiles, stir and cook for a minute, so they can gently brown. Add the orange and lime juices and the honey, and stir. Add the rosemary sprig. Let it all cook for about 7 to 8 over medium-low heat, or until it thickens to a syrup consistency. Remove the rosemary sprig and Piquín chiles with a spoon, or strain into a bowl.
  • Remove the roasting pan from the oven. Tilt the duck to get all the fat onto the roasting pan and scrape all the duck fat into a bowl. Cut the twine from the duck legs and remove the roasted garlic from the cavity.
  • Brush the duck with the glaze, generously, all over, and place back on rack, flipping it so it is breast side up again. Return to the oven and continue to roast for another 15 to 30 minutes, or until the thermometer reads 165℉ to 170℉ and the skin is golden brown. Remove from the oven. Cover with aluminum foil and let rest for 10 to 15 minutes before carving.

Notes

Pato Rostizado con Miel, Ajo y Naranja

Chile-Lime Baby Back Ribs

Posted on by Pati Jinich
Chile Lime Babyback Ribs
Print Recipe
5 from 6 votes

Chile-Lime Baby Back Ribs

Chile-Lime Baby Back Ribs recipe from Pati's Mexican Table Season 11, Episode 1 "The Fire Kings"
Cook Time1 hour 5 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: pork, ribs
Servings: 4 servings
Author: Pati Jinich

Ingredients

  • 4 pounds baby back ribs
  • 1 cup fresh squeezed lime juice
  • 2 tablespoons white distilled vinegar
  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 10 to 12 garlic cloves peeled
  • 2 to 3 teaspoons dried piquín chile or to taste
  • 1 tablespoon dried oregano
  • 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon kosher or coarse sea salt or more to taste
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • Green Piquín Chile and Oregano Salsa to serve

Instructions

  • Ask your butcher to cut the baby back rib racks in half, making them half their width. Once at home, remove their back membrane. Cut them into pieces with 3 ribs per piece and place them in a bowl.
  • Make the marinade: In the jar of a blender, add the lime juice, vinegar, oil, garlic, dried piquín, oregano, salt, and pepper. Puree until completely smooth.
  • Pour the marinade over the ribs and toss to coat. Cover with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator anywhere from 2 to 24 hours.
  • When ready to cook, remove the ribs from the refrigerator. Preheat your grill to medium. Brush the grill grates clean with a large piece of white onion.
  • Place the ribs in 3 to 4 large pieces of aluminum foil, in a single layer and seal the tops tightly, making flat packets. Place them over direct heat and cook for 1 hour, flipping the packets over once in between.
  • Remove the packets from the grill, open them up, and place the ribs directly on the grates, bone sides down first. Grill for about 4 to 5 more minutes per side, with the lid closed, until they char and brown for a delicious crunch along the edges.
  • Serve with the Green Piquín Chile and Oregano Salsa on the side, to dip the ribs as you eat them.

Notes

Costillitas con Sal, Chile y Limón

Shrimp Enchiladas in a Rich Tomato Sauce

Posted on by Pati Jinich

Shrimp Enchiladas in a Rich Tomato Sauce
Print Recipe
4.74 from 15 votes

Shrimp Enchiladas in a Rich Tomato Sauce

Shrimp Enchiladas in a Rich Tomato Sauce, from Pati’s Mexican Table Season 7, Episode 11 "New York"
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time1 hour 20 minutes
Total Time1 hour 25 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: corn tortillas, Enchilada, pati's mexican table, Recipe, red sauce, seafood, Shrimp
Servings: 6 Servings
Author: Pati Jinich

Ingredients

For enchiladas:

  • 1 1/2 pounds medium shrimp
  • 5 sprigs fresh parsley
  • 2 garlic cloves peeled
  • 3 to 4 bay leaves
  • 1 teaspoon kosher or sea salt divided, or to taste
  • 1 1/2 pounds ripe tomatoes
  • 1 to 2 serrano or jalapeño chiles to taste
  • 4 scallions trimmed and coarsely chopped
  • 1/2 teaspoon grated nutmeg
  • 3 tablespoons canola or safflower oil divided
  • 1 cup Mexican cream Latin style crema, or heavy cream, plus a bit more for garnish
  • 12 Corn tortillas
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

For garnish:

  • 4 scallions trimmed and light green and white parts thinly sliced
  • 1 ripe avocado halved, pitted, meat scooped out and sliced
  • 2 ounces queso fresco farmer’s cheese or mild feta, crumbled (½ cup)

Instructions

  • Remove the shells and tails from the shrimp and reserve. Rinse the shrimp and pat dry. Cut each one into 3 or 4 bite-size pieces.
  • In a medium saucepan, combine the shrimp shells and tails, parsley, 1 of the garlic cloves, bay leaves and ½ teaspoon of the salt. Cover with water, place over medium-high heat and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium and simmer 20 minutes. Strain the broth into a large measuring cup or heat-proof bowl.
  • Combine the tomatoes, remaining garlic, and chile(s) in a medium saucepan. Cover with water, and bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer uncovered until the tomatoes are thoroughly soft, about 10 minutes.
  • Using a slotted spoon, transfer the tomatoes and garlic clove to a blender. Add the 4 coarsely chopped scallions; if you have simmered 2 chiles, begin by adding only 1 of them to the blender, then once you taste the finished puree you can decide if you want to add the other. Add ½ teaspoon salt, the grated nutmeg, and 1 cup of the strained shrimp shell broth. Purée until completely smooth, taste and add the other chile if you would like more chile presence and heat (the sauce will become milder as it cooks and other ingredients are added).
  • Rinse and dry the saucepan, add a tablespoon of the oil and heat over medium heat until hot but not smoking. Add the pureed tomato sauce, being careful to avoid sputters, and cover partially with a lid. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens, seasons and deepens in color to a much darker red, about 10 minutes. Uncover, reduce heat to medium-low and stir in the cream. Keep at a steady low simmer for 8 to 10 more minutes, or until the sauce is thick, creamy, and coats the back of a wooden spoon. Taste and adjust salt. Remove from the heat and keep warm.
  • Prepare the tortillas for enchiladas by either heating them in a comal or passing them through hot oil.
  • To cook the shrimp, work in batches so that they will sear and not steam. Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil and 1 tablespoon of the butter in a large skillet over high heat until hot, but not smoking, and the butter is bubbling. Add half the shrimp and season with salt. Cook for just a couple of minutes, stirring and flipping a few times, until just cooked through and lightly browned. Remove with a slotted spoon, add the remaining tablespoon of oil and butter to the skillet, and once the butter is foaming, cook the remaining shrimp.
  • Reheat the sauce if necessary. One by one, sauce and fill the tortillas. Glide each prepared tortilla through the sauce and place on a plate. Spoon about 3 tablespoons of the seared shrimp down the middle and fold in a half like a quesadilla. Place on a platter and continue with remaining the tortillas, overlapping the half moon-shaped enchiladas slightly. Once all of the enchiladas are filled, spoon the remaining tomato sauce on top. They should be sauced generously. Garnish with the sliced scallions, slices of avocado and crumbled cheese.

Notes

Entomatadas con Camarones

Meat, Pinto Bean and Bacon Stew

Posted on by Pati Jinich
carne en su jugo
Print Recipe
4.86 from 7 votes

Meat, Pinto Bean and Bacon Stew

Meat, Pinto Bean and Bacon Stew recipe from Pati’s Mexican Table Season 10, Episode 4 “Los Mariachis”
Cook Time40 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: bacon, beef, corn tortillas, guacamole, serrano chiles, tomatillos
Servings: 4 to 6 servings
Author: Pati Jinich

Ingredients

  • 1 pound tomatillos husked and rinsed
  • 1 to 2 fresh serrano chiles stemmed
  • 1 cup cilantro leaves and upper part of stems
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt or to taste
  • 1 pound thick bacon slices chopped
  • 2 pounds sirloin steak thinly sliced and cut into small bite size pieces
  • 1 cup finely chopped onion
  • 2 to 3 cups chicken or beef broth
  • 5 to 6 cups Frijoles de Olla or beans from the pot (cooked pinto beans)

To serve:

  • Finely chopped white onion
  • Finely chopped cilantro
  • Quartered limes
  • Warm corn tortillas optional
  • Fresh chunky guacamole optional

Instructions

  • Place tomatillos and serrano chiles in a medium saucepan. Cover with water and bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce heat to medium and cook for 8 to 10 minutes until completely cooked through and soft. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the tomatillos and chiles to the jar of a blender along with the cilantro and a teaspoon of salt. Puree until completely smooth and set aside.
  • In a large casserole or Dutch oven, fry the chopped bacon over medium heat until crisp. Transfer to a bowl with a slotted spoon and set aside. Reduce heat to medium, add the streak to bacon fat and cook until it starts to render all its juices. Once it does, add the onion and the broth. Continue cooking for about 15 minutes.
  • Incorporate the tomatillo puree and continue cooking for another 15 minutes, until meat is completely tender and broth has seasoned.
  • Serve the carne en su jugo in bowls along with a ladle of cooked pinto beans, and top with the crisp bacon. Place chopped white onion, cilantro, and lime wedges on the table for everyone to add as they please. You can serve with warm corn tortillas and a side of fresh guacamole.

Notes

Carne en su Jugo

Mushroom Tacos with Chile de Arbol Salsa

Posted on by Pati Jinich
Mushroom Tacos
Print Recipe
5 from 6 votes

Mushroom Tacos with Chile de Arbol Salsa

Mushroom Tacos with Chile de Arbol Salsa recipe from Pati’s Mexican Table Season 10, Episode 10 “Quiero más Tacos”
Cook Time10 minutes
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: chile de arbol, cilantro, corn tortillas, Mushroom, Salsa
Servings: 6 tacos
Author: Pati Jinich

Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons safflower oil
  • 3 garlic cloves peeled and roughly chopped
  • 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves roughly chopped
  • 1 pound mixed mushrooms such as maitake, crimini, shitake, sliced into ¾ inch pieces
  • Kosher salt to taste
  • 3 tablespoons Chile de Árbol Salsa plus more to serve
  • 1 tablespoon sherry vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons cilantro leaves and upper stems, chopped, plus more to garnish
  • 6 warm corn or flour tortillas
  • Cilantro flowers to garnish (optional)

Instructions

  • Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once hot add the garlic and thyme and once the garlic begins to just lightly brown around the edges, add the mushrooms. Let them cook for 3 minutes, then stir and season with salt. Again, let them sit undisturbed for 2-3 minutes, or as needed, allowing any liquid to cook off and until they are deeply browned. Once browned, stir in the chile de árbol salsa and cook for one minute while stirring, so the mushrooms absorb the flavor. Stir in the vinegar and the chopped cilantro. Remove from heat.
  • Spoon onto warm corn tortillas and garnish with cilantro and/or cilantro flowers, if using. Serve with extra chile de árbol salsa.

Notes

Tacos de Champiñones con Salsa de Chile de Árbol

Corn Tortilla Egg Nests

Posted on by Pati Jinich
corn tortilla egg nests
Print Recipe
4.67 from 6 votes

Corn Tortilla Egg Nests

Corn Tortilla Egg Nests recipe from Pati’s Mexican Table Season 10, Episode 8 “The Heart of Tequila”
Cook Time20 minutes
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: Avocado, chile de arbol, corn tortillas, cotija cheese, Eggs, mexican crema, Salsa
Servings: 8 servings
Author: Pati Jinich

Ingredients

  • 8 homemade corn tortillas fresh from the comal right when they puff
  • 8 eggs
  • Kosher salt to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper to taste

Toppings:

Instructions

  • Follow the process for making the homemade tortillas in the recipe linked in the ingredients. You’ll want to make the nests as you are cooking the tortillas. One by one crack an egg in a ¼ measuring cup that is easy to pour from and sprinkle with salt and black pepper to taste. Once the tortilla puffs, make a slit with a sharp knife, such as a paring knife to open the tortilla pocket, make an opening of about 1 to 2 inches. You may use a soup spoon to open the pocket more fully.
  • Pour the cracked egg in the pocket and place back on the comal or pan. Let it cook for a couple minutes. If desired, flip the egg filled tortilla to the other side to cook a couple minutes on the other side, or until desired doneness. You can cook the egg in the tortilla without flipping as well. Repeat with the remaining tortillas and eggs.
  • Place on a plate, cover with the chile de árbol salsa verde and garnish with crumbled queso fresco or Cotija, Mexican crema, and slices of ripe avocado.

Notes

Huevos Tapados al Comal

Chile Relleno Rice with Salsa Roja

Posted on by Pati Jinich
chile relleno rice
Print Recipe
4.28 from 18 votes

Chile Relleno Rice with Salsa Roja

Chile Relleno Rice with Salsa Roja recipe from Pati’s Mexican Table Season 10, Episode 6 “Tradition and Innovation”
Cook Time20 minutes
Course: Main Course, Main Dish
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: chile, Oaxaca cheese, Poblano, Tomato
Servings: 6 to 8 servings
Author: Pati Jinich

Ingredients

For the chiles rellenos:

  • 6 to 8 poblano chiles about 2 pounds
  • 3 to 4 cups grated melty cheese such as Oaxaca Monterey Jack, mozzarella, or Muenster

For the rice:

  • 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 2 cups jasmine white rice
  • 1/2 cup white onion finely chopped
  • 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth homemade or store-bought
  • 1½ teaspoons kosher salt or to taste

For the salsa roja:

  • 2 pounds ripe tomatoes
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • 1 1-inch thick slice of a large white onion outer skin peeled off (about 2 ounces)
  • 1 chile de árbol optional
  • 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt or to taste
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1 cup chicken or vegetable broth homemade or store-bought

Instructions

Make and assemble the chiles rellenos:

  • Place the chiles on a tray under the broiler, directly on the grill, or directly over the open flame. I prefer to broil them. Whatever method you choose, turn them every 2 to 3 minutes for a total of 6 to 9 minutes. They must seem charred and blistered on the outside, while the flesh must be cooked but not burnt. Place them immediately in a plastic bag, close it tightly, and let them sweat for 10 to 20 minutes. Lastly, under a thin stream of cold water, remove the charred skin, which should come right off. Make a slit down one side of the chile and remove the cluster of seeds and veins. Once cleaned, pat them dry.
  • Stuff each of the poblano chiles with about 1/2 cup grated cheese, or as much as will fit allowing them to close. You may seal with a toothpick.

Prepare the rice:

  • Heat the oil in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the rice and cook, stirring softly for 2 to 3 minutes. Incorporate the onion and stir, from time to time, until the rice begins to change to a milky-white color and feels and feels heavier, as if it were grains of sand; about 3 to 4 more minutes. Pour in 4 cups of broth and salt.
  • When it comes to a rolling boil, place the chiles rellenos into the pot. Cover the pot, reduce the heat to the lowest setting, and cook until the rice is cooked through and the liquid has been absorbed, about 15 to 20 minutes. If the rice grains don’t seem soft and cooked through, add a bit more chicken broth or water and let it cook for another 5 more minutes or so. Once the rice is cooked, remove the pan from the heat and let it sit, covered, for 5 to 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, make the salsa roja:

  • Place the tomatoes and garlic in a medium saucepan, cover with water and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium and simmer for 10 to 15 minutes until the tomatoes are completely smooth, cooked and mushy.
  • Place tomatoes and garlic in a blender along with the onion, chile de árbol if using, salt, and pepper, and puree until completely smooth.
  • Heat the oil in a medium saucepan, set over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, pour in the tomato sauce, cover with a lid partially and simmer for 5 to 6 minutes, stirring here and there. Add the chicken broth, stir and cook for another 6 to 8 minutes, until well seasoned and lightly thickened.

To serve:

  • Spoon some rice on a plate and place a chile relleno on top. Cover with salsa roja.

Notes

Arroz con Chile Relleno y Salsa Roja

Jalisco-style Birria

Posted on by Pati Jinich
Jalisco-style Birria
Print Recipe
4.17 from 12 votes

Jalisco-style Birria

Jalisco-style Birria recipe from Pati’s Mexican Table Season 10, Episode 5 “Escaramuza”
Cook Time3 hours
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: Ancho, cilantro, corn tortillas, Guajillo, lamb, lime, morita chiles, Salsa
Servings: 8 to 10 servings
Author: Pati Jinich

Ingredients

  • 4 to 5 pounds bone-in lamb shoulder ribs, or leg, or a combination, cut into approximately 3 inch pieces
  • ⅓ cup white distilled vinegar
  • 4 teaspoons kosher salt or more to taste
  • 4 dried ancho chiles stemmed and seeded
  • 4 dried guajillo chiles stemmed and seeded
  • 4 dried cascabel chiles stemmed and seeded
  • 3 dried morita chipotle chiles stemmed
  • 6 garlic cloves
  • 3 tablespoons fresh oregano or 1 tablespoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
  • 1 teaspoon grated nutmeg
  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 4 whole cloves stemmed

For serving:

  • Warm corn tortillas
  • 2 cups finely chopped white onion
  • 2 cups chopped fresh cilantro leaves
  • 2 or 3 limes quartered
  • Salsita Tapatía or salsa of your choice

Instructions

  • Place the meat in a large roasting pan, pour on the vinegar and sprinkle the salt, and rub it all over the meat. Let it sit as you prepare the marinade.
  • Heat a comal or small skillet over medium-low heat. Toast the dried chiles for a minute per side, or until lightly toasted. Place in a saucepan along with the garlic and cover with 4 cups of water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then lower heat to medium and simmer for 10 minutes until the chiles have softened and plumped up.
  • Using a slotted spoon, transfer the chiles and garlic to the jar of a blender, along with the 4 cups of cooking liquid and the oregano, cumin, nutmeg, black pepper, and cloves and puree until smooth. Cool to room temperature.
  • Cover the meat with the adobo, making sure it is all well rubbed. Cover and let sit in the refrigerator, ideally, anywhere from 24 to 48 hours (or at least 2 hours).
  • Remove the meat from the refrigerator. Preheat the oven to 375℉.
  • Place the meat and all of the marinade in a roasting pan, tightly cover with aluminum foil, and roast in the oven for 2½ to 3 hours. Uncover and continue roasting for another 35 minutes, or until the meat is so tender it is falling off the bones and it is browned on the top. Taste the broth and adjust the salt. You may need to add some water to the pan if it has reduced too much during the cooking.
  • When it comes to serving, you have many choices: You can transfer the meat to a platter, moisten with the remaining broth, and assemble the meat in tacos or make birria-dillas (or quesa-birrias). You can garnish the tacos or quesadillas with the onion, cilantro, lime and salsita of your choice, such as the tapatía.

Notes

Birria Estilo Jalisco

Chile Charred Pork Sandwich with Panela Cheese, Crema and Pickled Jalapeños

Posted on by Pati Jinich
Chile Charred Pork Sandwich
Print Recipe
4.67 from 6 votes

Chile Charred Pork Sandwich with Panela Cheese, Crema and Pickled Jalapeños

Chile Charred Pork Sandwich recipe from Pati’s Mexican Table Season 10, Episode 1 “Welcome to Guadalajara”
Cook Time0 minutes
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: pork, Sandwich
Servings: 6 to 8 sandwiches
Author: Pati Jinich

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Slice bolillos in half lengthwise. Spread a couple tablespoons of refried beans on the bottom halves. Top each bottom half with a generous amount of shredded Chile Charred Pork, a slice of panela cheese, a drizzle of Mexican crema, and a few pickled jalapeños slices. Add the top layer of bread, cut in half, and serve.

Notes

Lonche de Tatemado de Puerco, con Queso Panela, Crema y Jalapeños

Chicken and Shrimp Fried Rice Mexicano

Posted on by Pati Jinich
chicken and shrimp fried rice mexicano
Print Recipe
4.24 from 13 votes

Chicken and Shrimp Fried Rice Mexicano

A quick and easy fried rice with chicken and shrimp, incorporating a few Mexican ingredients I always have on hand.
Cook Time15 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Chinese
Keyword: chicken, Eggs, rice, Shrimp
Servings: 4 to 6 servings
Author: Pati Jinich

Ingredients

  • 1½ pounds skinless boneless chicken breasts, cut into bite size pieces
  • 1 pound peeled medium sized shrimp cleaned and patted dry
  • ½ cup soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar or grated piloncillo
  • 2 tablespoons unseasoned rice vinegar
  • 3 tablespoons sauce from chipotles in adobo sauce more to taste
  • 4 garlic cloves peeled and pressed or finely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons grated fresh ginger
  • 1 serrano or jalapeño chile stemmed and finely chopped
  • 9 tablespoons vegetable oil divided
  • 3 eggs lightly beaten
  • 1 cup diced carrots from about 2 medium sized carrots
  • 1½ cups diced fresh asparagus bottoms of stalks peeled and dry base cut off
  • 1 cup shelled peas
  • 8 to 10 scallions root ends removed, white, light green and green parts sliced, reserving a tablespoon or so for garnish
  • 4½ cups cooked white rice cooked from 1½ cups raw rice
  • Kosher salt to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Place the chicken in a bowl, season with salt and pepper to taste. In another bowl, place the cleaned shrimp and season with salt and pepper to taste.
  • In a small bowl, combine the soy sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, chipotle in adobo sauce, garlic, ginger and chile, and mix well to combine. Set aside.
  • In a medium non-stick skillet, heat one tablespoon of the oil. Once hot, add the beaten eggs, sprinkle with a bit of salt and pepper. Cook, moving the edges towards the center as it cooks, to create a flat omelet. Once set and cooked in the bottom, flip so it cooks on the other side. Transfer to a chopping board and cut into bite size pieces. Set aside.
  • In an extended large sauté pan or wok, set over high heat, heat 2 tablespoons of the oil. Once very hot but not smoking, add the chicken, cooking it in batches if need be to avoid overcrowding the pan. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes per side, scrape onto a large bowl. Add 2 more tablespoons of the oil. Repeat with the shrimp, cooking them in batches if need be, for 1 to 2 minutes per side, just until browned and crisp on the outside but not over cooked. Scrape onto the bowl with the chicken.
  • In the same pan, add 2 more tablespoons the oil, reduce the heat to medium high and add the carrots and asparagus. Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste, and let them cook for 3 to 4 minutes until softened but still with a firm bite. Add the peas and the scallions, stir, and cook for another couple minutes. Scrape onto a separate bowl and set aside.
  • Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil in the same pan and raise heat to high. Once hot, add the rice, cook it in the oil for a minute or two as you stir. Whisk the soy sauce mixture and pour it over the rice. Add the vegetables, the chicken, the shrimp and the omelet pieces, and toss to combine. Let it all cook together for a minute or two and serve. Garnish with the reserved scallion slices.

Notes

Arroz frito mexicano con pollo y camarón


Divorced Eggs

Posted on by Pati Jinich
Divorced Eggs
Print Recipe
4 from 5 votes

Huevos Divorciados

A classic Mexican way of eating eggs, served sunny side up with salsa roja over one egg and salsa verde over the other egg.
Cook Time15 minutes
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: Eggs, Salsa
Servings: 4 servings
Author: Pati Jinich

Ingredients

  • Vegetable oil
  • 8 corn tortillas store-bought or homemade
  • 8 large eggs at room temperature
  • Kosher or coarse sea salt
  • 2 cups salsa verde homemade or store-bought, heated
  • 2 cups salsa ranchera or salsa roja, homemade or store-bought, heated
  • 2 cups refried beans homemade or store-bought, heated
  • 1/4 cup crumbled queso fresco or Cotija, farmer cheese, or mild feta

Instructions

  • Heat ¼ inch of oil in a medium skillet over medium-high heat until hot but not smoking. The oil is ready if when you dip the edge of a tortilla into it, it bubbles happily around the edges without going wild. Using tongs, dip the tortillas one at a time in the oil for 10 to 15 seconds per side. The tortillas will first appear to soften and then begin to crisp. Drain on paper towels and cover with aluminum foil or an inverted plate to keep warm. (Alternatively, you can lightly toast the tortillas on a well-heated comal or in a skillet over medium heat for 30 seconds per side.)
  • Pour off all but 2 tablespoons of the oil you used for the tortillas if you fried them. If you toasted the tortillas, add 2 tablespoons oil. Heat the oil over medium heat. Crack 2 eggs into the pan, sprinkle with salt to taste, and cook to your preferred doneness. Keep warm while you repeat with the remaining eggs.
  • To serve, place 2 of the warmed tortillas on four plates and top with 2 eggs. Ladle a generous amount of green sauce over one of the eggs on each plate and red sauce over the other. Serve with the refried beans on the side and a sprinkling of the cheese.

Notes

Divorced Eggs

Three-Cheese Chicken Enchiladas

Posted on by Pati Jinich
Three-Cheese Chicken Enchiladas
Print Recipe
4.23 from 9 votes

Three-Cheese Chicken Enchiladas

These enchiladas are typical of northern Mexico and use the region’s go-to red salsa, as well as three cheeses and crema.
Cook Time20 minutes
Course: Antojos, Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: cheese, chicken, enchiladas
Servings: 6 servings
Author: Pati Jinich

Ingredients

  • 16 corn tortillas homemade or store-bought
  • Double recipe Colorado Chile Salsa
  • 4 cups shredded cooked chicken or rotisserie chicken
  • 1 cup Mexican crema or sour cream
  • 2 cups grated Oaxaca cheese or mozzarella (8 ounces)
  • 2 cups grated asadero or Muenster, or Monterey Jack cheese (8 ounces)
  • 1 cup crumbled Cotija cheese or grated Pecorino Romano or Parmigiano-Reggiano (4 ounces) 
  • 1 ripe avocado halved, pitted, and sliced, for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 400℉, with a rack in the middle. Heat a comal or large skillet over medium-low heat for at least 5 minutes.
  • One or two at a time, heat the tortillas on the comal or skillet, without overlapping, for about a minute per side, until malleable and warm. Cover or wrap in a kitchen towel to keep warm.
  • Pour about 1 cup of the salsa into a 9-x-13-inch baking dish and spread it evenly over the bottom. One by one, place each tortilla on a cutting board and sprinkle about 1/4 cup of the chicken evenly down the middle. Roll up into a chubby soft taco and place seam down in the baking dish. Pour the remaining salsa over the enchiladas and top with the cream. Cover with the grated cheeses and sprinkle the Cotija, Romano, or Parmesan over the top.
  • Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the cheese has completely melted and begun to lightly brown around the edges. Serve hot.

Notes

Enchiladas de Pollo con Tres Quesos

Asparagus Mushroom & Goat Cheese Enchiladas with Pine Nut Mole Sauce

Posted on by Pati Jinich
Print Recipe
4.29 from 7 votes

Asparagus Mushroom & Goat Cheese Enchiladas with Pine Nut Mole Sauce

The tortillas are dipped into the luscious mole and wrapped around the filling of seared mushrooms and crisp-tender asparagus seasoned with orange zest and thyme, and goat cheese, which melts when the enchiladas are topped with the hot mole sauce. When you have vegetarians coming over for dinner, this dish is a must.
Cook Time30 minutes
Course: Antojos, Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: enchiladas, Vegetarian
Servings: 6 servings
Author: Pati Jinich

Ingredients

For the Pine Nut Mole:

  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1/4 cup chopped white onion
  • 1 cup raw pine nuts
  • 1 garlic clove chopped
  • 1 pound ripe tomatoes coarsely chopped
  • 2 ancho chiles stemmed, seeded, and coarsely chopped or broken into pieces
  • 1/2 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
  • 4 cups vegetable or chicken broth homemade or store-bought
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher or sea salt or to taste
  • 1/4 teaspoon packed brown sugar or to taste

For the Filling:

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound white button or baby bella (cremini) mushrooms cleaned and diced
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • 1 pound asparagus tough ends removed, peeled from just below the tips tothe bottom, and cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme or 1/2 teaspoon dried
  • 1 tablespoon grated orange zest
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher or sea salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper

To assemble:

  • 12 corn tortillas
  • 6 ounces goat cheese cut into chunks (about 3/4 cup)
  • 2 tablespoons chopped chives for garnish
  • 2 tablespoons pine nuts toasted, for garnish

Instructions

To make the mole:

  • Heat 2 tablespoons of the oil in a large casserole or heavy pot over medium heat. Add the onion and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, until completely softened. Stir in the pine nuts and garlic and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, until the garlic becomes fragrant and changes color and the pine nuts are light brown and smell toasty. Raise the heat to medium-high, add another tablespoon of olive oil and the tomatoes, and cook, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes soften and break down, 7 to 8 minutes. Add the ancho chiles, orange juice, broth, salt, and brown sugar and bring to a simmer. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until the chiles have rehydrated and plumped up and the sauce has thickened, about 8 minutes more.
  • Transfer the contents of the pot to a blender and let cool for a few minutes, then puree, in batches if necessary, until completely smooth.
  • Rinse out and dry the pot, add the remaining 1 tablespoon oil, and heat over medium heat. Add the pine nut mole, cover partially, and simmer for 5 to 6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has darkened and thickened a bit more. Cover and set aside.

To make the filling:

  • Heat the oil in a large skillet or casserole over medium-high heat. Add the mushrooms and let them sear and brown, without stirring, for 3 to 4 minutes. Push the mushrooms to the sides of the pan and add the butter to the middle. When the butter begins to foam, add the asparagus, thyme, orange zest, salt, and pepper to taste, stir together with the mushrooms, and cook, stirring occasionally, until the asparagus is crisp-tender, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove from the heat.

To assemble:

  • Heat and lightly toast the tortillas on a hot comal or skillet.
  • Dip a tortilla in the mole, place it on a plate, and top with 2 to 3 tablespoons of the mushroom and asparagus mixture and a tablespoon of crumbled goat cheese. Roll up into a chubby enchilada and place seam side down on a serving platter. Continue with the remaining tortillas and filling.
  • Reheat the sauce if necessary. Spoon a generous amount of sauce on top of the enchiladas (use it all if you wish), garnish with the chives and toasted pine nuts, and serve.

Notes

Enchiladas de Espárragos, Cahmiñones y Queso de Cabra con Mole de Piñón

Carne con Chile Burritos

Posted on by Pati Jinich
carne con chile burritos
Print Recipe
3.72 from 7 votes

Carne con Chile Burritos

Carne con Chile Burritos recipe from Pati's Mexican Table Season 9, Episode 5 "Flour Power"
Prep Time40 minutes
Cook Time1 hour 30 minutes
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: beef, brisket, burritos, carne, chile, chile colorado, flour tortillas, mexican crema, Pico de Gallo, queso fresco, Sonora, Sonoran
Servings: 8 to 10 burritos
Author: Pati Jinich

Ingredients

For the meat:

  • 6 pounds beef brisket trimmed of some of the fat and cut into 2-inch chunks
  • 1/2 white onion
  • 5 garlic cloves peeled
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 tablespoon kosher or sea salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black peppercorns

For the carne con chile:

  • 10 to 12 dried chiles colorados a.k.a. New Mexico chiles, California chiles and dried Anaheim chiles, stemmed and seeded (if unavailable, substitute guajillos)
  • 2 large ripe roma tomatoes about 1/2 pound
  • 2 peeled garlic cloves
  • 1/4 cup coarsely chopped onion
  • 5 dried chiltepin chiles if available (ideal but can skip them if you don’t find them)
  • 2 dried chiles de árbol stemmed
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher or sea salt or to taste
  • 4 cups beef broth from cooking the meat
  • 2 tablespoons lard or vegetable oil
  • 2 tablespoons all purpose flour

For the burritos:

  • 8 to 10 flour tortillas
  • Sliced or diced avocado
  • Queso fresco crumbled
  • Mexican crema
  • Pico de gallo salsa or salsa of your choice
  • Shredded romaine lettuce

Instructions

To cook the meat:

  • Place the meat in a large pot and cover with at least 12 cups water. Add the white onion half, 5 garlic cloves, bay leaves, salt and black peppercorns. Bring to a rolling boil over high heat. Skim off any foam that rises to the top, reduce the heat to medium-low, cover and cook until the meat is completely cooked through and tender enough to pull apart easily with your fingers, about 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 hours.
  • Using a slotted spoon, remove the meat from the broth and place in a bowl. Strain the broth into a separate bowl or container. Measure out 4 cups and freeze the rest for another use. Once the meat is cool enough to handle, shred into smaller bite size pieces and remove and discard the fat. Set aside.

To make the carne con chile:

  • Place the chiles colorados, tomatoes, and 2 garlic cloves in a medium saucepan. Cover with water and bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Reduce heat slightly and simmer for 10 to 12 minutes until the chiles have plumped up and rehydrated, and the tomatoes are fully cooked and mushy. Transfer the chiles, tomatoes, garlic and a 1/2 cup of their cooking liquid to a blender. Add the chopped white onion, chiltepin chiles, chiles de árbol, oregano and salt. Puree until completely smooth.
  • Heat the lard or oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven set over medium-high heat. Add the flour and stir together well to create a roux. Cook, stirring, for a minute or two until bubbling and lightly browned. Add the chile colorado puree. Cook, stirring often, making sure the mixture doesn’t stick and burn on the bottom of the pan, until it has thickened and darkened slightly, about 5 to 6 minutes. Stir in the beef broth and the shredded cooked meat and bring to a simmer, stirring. Reduce heat to medium, cover partially, and continue to cook, stirring often and scraping the bottom of the pot until the sauce has thickened and the meat is well seasoned, coated with the chile mixture, and so tender it is falling apart, about 30 minutes. Taste and adjust salt. Remove from the heat.

To make the burritos:

  • Heat the tortillas on a preheated comal or skillet. Top with 1/4 to 1/3 cup of the carne con chile and roll into burritos. Once assembled, you can heat them for another minute if you want them a bit toasted, or eat them soft, just as soon as they are assembled.
  • Serve with sliced or diced avocado, crumbled queso fresco, crema, salsa and lettuce, and let people garnish to taste.

Notes

Burritos de Carne con Chile

Corn, Cheese and Chile Verde Tamales

Posted on by Pati Jinich
Corn, Cheese and Chile Verde Tamales
Print Recipe
4.34 from 9 votes

Corn, Cheese and Chile Verde Tamales

Corn, Cheese and Chile Verde Tamales recipe from Pati's Mexican Table Season 9, Episode 10 "Sabores Norteños"
Prep Time30 minutes
Cook Time1 hour 40 minutes
Course: Antojos, Main Dish
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: anaheim chiles, cheese, chile verde, Corn, corn husks, elote, masa, Mexico, pati’s mexican table, poblanos, queso, rajas, Sonora, Sonoran, tamal, Tamales
Servings: 15 tamales
Author: Pati Jinich

Ingredients

For the fresh corn masa:

  • 4 cups white corn kernels fresh or thawed frozen
  • 1/2 cup evaporated milk
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter at room temperature
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1 cup corn flour for tamales or masa harina
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher or sea salt
  • 1 teaspoon vegetable oil

For the filling:

  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 1 cup slivered white onion
  • 1 pound fresh Anaheim chiles roasted, sweated, peeled, stemmed, seeded and cleaned, sliced into thin strips
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher or sea salt

To assemble the tamales:

  • 30 dried corn husks plus more for lining the steamer
  • 1 1/2 cups grated melting cheese such as asadero, quesadilla, Oaxaca, Monterey Jack, or mozzarella

Instructions

To make the fresh corn masa:

  • Coarsely puree the corn kernels along with the evaporated milk in a food processor or blender. The mixture should be a bit chunky, not completely smooth.
  • Combine the butter and sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, and beat at medium speed until very soft and creamy, about 2 minutes. Scrape down the bowl and beaters.
  • In a medium bowl, combine the masa harina, the baking soda and 1/2 teaspoon of salt.
  • Reduce the mixer speed to low and alternate adding the ground corn mixture with the masa harina mixture. Once all is incorporated, add 1 teaspoon of vegetable oil, increase the speed to medium and continue beating until completely amalgamated, creamy and fluffy, about 7 to 8 more minutes.

To make the filling:

  • Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a skillet or sauté pan over medium heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring often, until it begins to soften, about 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in the sliced roasted Anaheim chiles, sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon salt, and continue to cook for another 3 to 4 minutes, stirring often, until the onions are very soft and all of the flavors have combined. Remove from the heat and scrape into a bowl.

To assemble the tamales:

  • Remove about 30 good size corn husks from the package and place in a large bowl of hot water. Soak for a couple of minutes, or until they are pliable, and drain. One by one, lay out a corn husk with the tapering end towards you. If the husks seem thin, layer a second corn husk on top. Leaving a 1 to 1 1/2-inch space at the bottom, a minimum of 1/2 inch space on the sides and a little more than that at the top, spread about 1/4 cup masa into an approximately 2×3-inch rectangle. The masa layer will be a little thicker than 1/4 inch. Place a very generous tablespoon of the Anaheim and onion filling along with a very generous tablespoon of the grated cheese lengthwise down the middle of the masa.
  • Pick up the two long sides of the corn husk and bring them together (you will see how the masa swaddles the filling) and fold the joined edges to one side, rolling them around the tamal. Fold up the empty tapering end, from the bottom up. This will form a closed bottom and the top will be left open. If the tamale won’t hold, you can tear strips from unused tamale wrappers and tie them around the bottom. Gently press from the bottom to the top to even the filling out, without squeezing too hard.
  • If not steaming right away, place on a plate or sheet pan, cover with plastic, and refrigerate. You can assemble them a day ahead of steaming. You can also steam them ahead and reheat (see below).
  • To prepare the tamalera or steamer: Place water in the bottom pan of a steamer, so that water is under the steamer basket or rack, and bring it to a simmer. If you want to be reassured that the water hasn’t all evaporated during the long steaming time, place a penny in it so you can hear it dancing around. Line the steamer with one or two layers of soaked corn husks.

To cook the tamales:

  • When you have all tamales ready, place them as vertically as you can in the prepared steamer with the open end on top. If there is space left in the steamer, tuck in some corn husks, so the tamales won’t dance around. Cover with more corn husks, cover tightly with a lid, and steam covered for 1 1/2 hours. Allow the finished tamales to rest for 10 to 15 minutes. You know the tamales are ready when they come away easily from the husks. They will still be moist, and as they are released from the husks, you will see the moisture, like when you remove good moist muffins from their paper baking cups.
  • Finished tamales will stay warm for about 2 hours in the steamer. They can be made ahead and stored for several days in the refrigerator, well wrapped. They can also be frozen for months. In either case, reheat in a steamer. For refrigerated tamales, it will take about 20 minutes and about 45 minutes for frozen tamales.

Notes

Tamales de Elote con Rajas y Queso

Chile Rubbed Pork Chop

Posted on by Pati Jinich
Chile Rubbed Pork Chop
Print Recipe
4.12 from 9 votes

Chile Rubbed Pork Chop

Chile Rubbed Pork Chop recipe from Pati's Mexican Table Season 9, Episode 10 "Sabores Norteños"
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: ancho chiles, cerdo, grill recipes, Mexico, pati’s mexican table, pork, pork chop, Sonora, Sonoran
Servings: 4 pork chops
Author: Pati Jinich

Ingredients

  • 4 1-inch thick bone-in pork chops
  • 1 tablespoon ancho chile powder
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon kosher or sea salt or more to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • Pickled Grape Salad to serve

Instructions

  • Place pork chops on a baking sheet or cutting board. Stir ancho chile powder, oregano, salt and pepper in a small bowl. Rub the pork chops with the spice mixture. Set aside.
  • Preheat the grill to medium high, or heat a grill pan over medium-high heat.
  • Brush the grill or grill pan with 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil. Add pork chops, cook for 7 to 8 minutes, then flip and cook on the other side for another 6 to 7 minutes. The meat should be at 145°F to 150°F if checked with a meat thermometer.
  • Transfer the pork chops to a plate to rest for about 5 minutes. Slice and serve with the Pickled Grape Salad.

Notes

Chuleta de Cerdo con Chile

Sonora Cheese Soup

Posted on by Pati Jinich
Sonora Cheese Soup
Print Recipe
4.41 from 5 votes

Sonora Cheese Soup

Sonora Cheese Soup recipe from Pati's Mexican Table Season 9, Episode 9 "Cooking for my Crew in Sonora"
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Course: Soup
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: anaheim chiles, caldo, cheese, chicken broth, Mexico, pati’s mexican table, pay de queso, poblanos, queso, queso fresco, Sonora, Sonoran, sopa, soup
Servings: 6 to 8 servings
Author: Pati Jinich

Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons canola or safflower oil
  • 1 to 1 1/4 pounds potatoes about 4 medium, peeled and diced (about 3 cups)
  • 1 1/2 cups chopped white onion
  • 1 ripe medium-sized tomato cored and diced without discarding seeds and juices
  • 4 fresh Anaheim or poblano chiles about 1 pound, charred or roasted, sweated, peeled, seeded and cut into strips
  • 3/4 teaspoon kosher or sea salt or to taste
  • 4 cups homemade chicken broth
  • 2 cups milk
  • 1/2 pound queso regional fresco de Sonora or queso fresco

Instructions

  • Heat the oil over medium heat in a large, heavy soup pot. When hot, add the potatoes and onions and cook, stirring often, until the onions are soft and translucent, about 4 to 5 minutes. Add the tomato, prepared Anaheim or poblano chiles, and salt, and cook until the ingredients are softened, 4 to 5 minutes more.
  • Add the chicken broth, bring to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes, or until the potatoes are completely tender and the broth has thickened a bit. Taste and adjust salt. Reduce the heat to medium-low, slowly add the milk and bring back to a gentle simmer. Gradually crumble the cheese into the simmering soup and stir until cheese is completely melted – or serve in bowls with cubes of the cheese in the bowls adding the soup on top. Taste again for salt and serve hot.

Notes

Caldo de Queso

Chicken in a Pecan and Ancho Chile Sauce

Posted on by Pati Jinich
Chicken in a Pecan and Ancho Chile Sauce
Print Recipe
4.10 from 10 votes

Chicken in a Pecan and Ancho Chile Sauce

Chicken in a Pecan and Ancho Chile Sauce recipe from Pati's Mexican Table Season 9, Episode 9 "Cooking for my Crew in Sonora"
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time1 hour
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: ancho chiles, chicken, Mexico, nuez, Pecan, Pollo, prunes, sauce
Servings: 4 to 5 servings
Author: Pati Jinich

Ingredients

  • 3 dried ancho chiles stemmed and seeded
  • 1/2 white onion
  • 1 unpeeled garlic clove
  • 4 cups homemade chicken broth or store bought
  • 1 cup shelled pecans
  • 6 to 8 pitted prunes about 1/4 cup tightly packed
  • 1 teaspoon kosher or sea salt more to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1 4- to 5- pound chicken cut up, breasts split and cut in half (10 pieces)

Instructions

  • Heat a comal or small skillet over medium heat, and toast the stemmed, seeded ancho chiles until the skin changes color and the chiles begin to release fumes, about 1 minute. Remove from the heat and add the onion and garlic clove to the comal or skillet. Toast, flipping the onion and garlic clove from side to side, until charred on the outside and softened inside, 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from the heat, set aside and when cool enough to handle, peel the garlic clove. Alternatively, char the onion and garlic under the broiler. Preheat the broiler with the rack arranged at the highest setting and cover a small sheet pan with foil. Broil the garlic for 5 to 8 minutes, turning halfway through, and the onion for 10 to 12 minutes, flipping halfway through.
  • Bring the chicken broth to a simmer in a medium saucepan. Add the pecans, prunes and toasted ancho chiles. Simmer for 10 to 12 minutes, until the chiles and prunes have rehydrated and plumped, and the pecans have softened. Set aside and let cool. Transfer to a blender, add the charred onion and garlic, and puree. If your blender is small, do this in batches.
  • Season the chicken with the salt and pepper.
  • Heat the oil in a large casserole or wide, heavy lidded skillet over medium high heat. Once hot, brown the chicken pieces, in batches, skin side down first then skin side up, until nicely colored, about 4 to 5 minutes on each side. Transfer to a bowl or plate as each batch is done.
  • Reduce heat to low, and using the lid of the casserole or pan as a shield for splatters, pour in the pureed pecan sauce. It should bubble and splutter dramatically. Stir well, scraping all the bits up from the bottom of the pan, and return the chicken pieces to the pan. Cover, turn down the heat to medium low, and simmer for 40 minutes, stirring and scraping the bottom of the pan from time to time, until the chicken is completely cooked through and the sauce is thick and delicious. Taste and adjust seasoning.

Notes

Pollo con Salsa de Nuez y Chile Ancho

Chicken, Hominy and Pinto Bean Stew

Posted on by Pati Jinich
Chicken Hominy and Pinto Bean Stew
Print Recipe
4.72 from 7 votes

Chicken, Hominy and Pinto Bean Stew

Chicken, Hominy and Pinto Bean Stew recipe from Pati's Mexican Table Season 9, Episode 8 "Super Sonoran"
Prep Time30 minutes
Cook Time3 hours
Course: Soup, stew
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: anaheim chiles, chicken, frijoles de la olla, gallina, gallina pinta, hominy, Mexico, pati’s mexican table, pinto beans, pozole, Sonora, soup, stew
Servings: 6 to 8 servings
Author: Pati Jinich

Ingredients

  • 1/2 pound dried hominy soaked in water to cover for 8 to 24 hours, or 4 cups cooked (2 15-ounce cans )
  • 1 head of garlic with peel on, halved horizontally (if cooking hominy only)
  • 3/4 teaspoon kosher or sea salt if cooking hominy
  • 1/2 recipe frijoles de olla using pinto beans (3 cups cooked beans), or 2 15-ounce cans

For the chicken:

  • 1 4- to 5- pound whole chicken cut up into 8 to 10 serving pieces
  • 1/2 white onion
  • 4 garlic cloves peeled
  • 1 fresh Anaheim chile stemmed, seeded, cut in quarters
  • 10 stems fresh cilantro
  • 2 teaspoons kosher or sea salt

For the Anaheim seasoning sauce:

  • 1 fresh Anaheim chile
  • 1/4 white onion halved
  • 2 garlic cloves unpeeled
  • 10 sprigs cilantro

For garnish:

  • 1 cup chopped white onion
  • 1 cup coarsely chopped cilantro leaves and top part of stems
  • Crushed chiletpin chiles may substitute finely chopped chiles de arbol, ground chile piquin or red pepper flakes
  • 2 limes quartered